HWH Leveling System

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HWH Leveling System

September 14, 2013, 11:19:08 am

My HWH leveling system has a problem. When any button other than Off is pushed, all lights on the control panel illuminate and all buttons other than off are non-functional.

Fortunately, the off button puts it into travel mode and I can drive successfully but I can not level the coach at all.

MOT suggests the control box has lost its mind and will need replacing or sent to the factory for rebuilding.

All fuses are good. All connectors have been disconnected and re-connected. Ground wires are tight and mounting to coach is tight.

Phone tech support at HWH is three weeks before they can call back. Rebuilding is a one week plus shipping time which is doable.

Any thoughts before I send the box to HWH next week.

Thanks,

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #1 – September 14, 2013, 01:29:20 pm

I had a problem with our series 600 leveling system. Checked fuses, connections, and ground on the controller and the key pad. Sent the controller and pad to HWH. They turned it around in about two weeks. Total cost was under $100. Ours was a loose wire. Replacing chips might be more expensive, but sending the pad and controller to them to be refurbished is probably the quickest, easiest repair since your inspection didn't fix the problem.

HWH answered my questions and returned my calls immediately. However, it was in winter rather than summer. I always recommend having system failures at convenient times. Not everyone, including myself, follows that advice.

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #2 – September 14, 2013, 01:34:33 pm

Before anything else, I would turn the HWH on, then disconnect battery power to the system and reconnect. "If all else fails, reboot."

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #3 – September 14, 2013, 07:36:24 pm

We had a leveling issue in Albuquerque a few months ago. Was certain that the control box was bad. Followed their on-line trouble shooting and determined that the touch pad was defective. If I recall - remove the touch pad from the left panel (that's where ours is) and look on the back of the panel. There is a very tiny red light that rapidly blinks/flickers if the pad is defective. I also talked to Mark at FOT to verify. Ours was blinking/flickering - ordered a new touch pad from FOT. Was a little less expensive than HWH and FOT had them in stock. Got it in two to three days installed it and no more problems. Good luck.

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #4 – September 15, 2013, 10:20:40 am

Scott,

I am back from my boating adventures with my daughter and have looked at the back of the touch pad and no red light of any kind other than the glow of the panel lights that are all illuminated steadily.

Twig,

I disconnected the power, I heard a click at the control box and all the panel lights went out. After thirty seconds, I re-connected the power and went inside. The panel lights were now off till I pressed the air button and they all illuminated again.

Is there something different to cause a "Reboot"?

Thanks

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #5 – October 13, 2013, 03:38:37 pm

Rudy, have you resolved this issue? What did you find? Dick

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #6 – October 13, 2013, 03:54:03 pm

Hi Dick,

It is fixed.

I talked to Keith Risch at MOT and pretty much narrowed it down the the control box. The lady that answers the phone at HWH had enough smarts to concur so I UPSed the box to HWH. The day after it arrived, HWH replaced two of the three boards in the box and UPSed it back. Charge was $126 parts, labor, tax and shipping.

While doing that, I found a seal leak in my steering box. I had a mobile tech remove it, Chalk Truck Parts here rebuild it ($475) and re-install ($400) which included checking my stop settings.

So, I am up and running again.

All the best.

Rudy

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #7 – October 13, 2013, 06:17:20 pm

I had a similar problem and sent the board in. They replaced a daughter board and all is well. somewhere about $120.00. I have the daughter board if anyone wants it for parts or whatever.

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #8 – October 14, 2013, 06:26:01 am

Scott,
Curious, how much for the push pad?

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #9 – October 14, 2013, 09:50:38 am

Jerry, HWH has the push ( touch ) pads, there are several different ones so when you call them be prepared to describe it to them. Last one I bought was about 12 bucks.
You might also call Reliable Transmission in Conley or TLC Transmission in Monroe. They stock some Allison Parts.
Gary B

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #10 – October 14, 2013, 01:11:56 pm

Jerry - I think it was $60 to $70. Don't recall. Looked on my repair/replacement spread sheet and the touch pad was not recorded. Sorry.

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #11 – October 14, 2013, 05:51:44 pm

HWH has inexpensive replacement front 'decals' for the push button control panel. HWH calls these decals "Lexan" and they are sold to be identical to originals. If the control pad works, but the decal has worn holes, just a Lexan will make it good as new.

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #12 – October 15, 2013, 12:40:10 pm

Just replaced the "Lexan" control cover on my HWH a few weeks ago. Called HWH parts and got the usual "we are busy now leave your number and we will call you back". They called back the next day. Had me remove the control panel and find the hand written number on a sticker on the back. Gave them the number and had the exact "Lexan" in about a week. $12 including postage IIRC.

see ya
ken

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #13 – October 18, 2013, 08:26:21 am

Quote from: kenhat – October 15, 2013, 12:40:10 pm

Just replaced the "Lexan" control cover on my HWH a few weeks ago. Called HWH parts and got the usual "we are busy now leave your number and we will call you back". They called back the next day. Had me remove the control panel and find the hand written number on a sticker on the back. Gave them the number and had the exact "Lexan" in about a week. $12 including postage IIRC.
see ya
ken

Thanks for the lead, Ken. Called yesterday, got a live person "can you hold?" and I said yes. She came back shortly, took my order, payment info and scheduled shipment!

My "handwritten note" with the number i.d. was in felt-tip marker on the back of the printed circuit board.

On my coach, the pad is recessed behind a cut-out in the face panel. Does anyone know how to replace the Lexan and if if should be cut down to just fit over the visible part? There are nuts on bolts that secure the panel (from the rear, but unless the bolts are captive, there would be no easy way to re-tighten them.

Any help will be appreciated!

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #14 – October 18, 2013, 09:46:57 am

The Lexan is glued to the circuit board. Unscrew the board and peel off the old Lexan.

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #15 – October 18, 2013, 12:45:14 pm

Lexan is GE's brand of polycarbonate resin. Pretty tuff stuff. It is subject to problems when around acetic acid which is found in vinegar. Don't clean the pad with a cleaner that has vinegar/acetic acid in it. GE started using Lexan to make blender pitchers first off since it was so tuff but found that making salad dressings ruined them. Just be careful. It will stop bullets on fighter windshields but basic Italian dressing will eat through it.

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #16 – October 19, 2013, 09:51:50 pm

Quote from: Duane Budd – October 18, 2013, 08:26:21 am

....
On my coach, the pad is recessed behind a cut-out in the face panel. Does anyone know how to replace the Lexan and if if should be cut down to just fit over the visible part? There are nuts on bolts that secure the panel (from the rear, but unless the bolts are captive, there would be no easy way to re-tighten them.

Any help will be appreciated!

Ours is a 96 U320; the Lexan was broken over the Raise button. Here is my changeout with photos:

# Comment
0   The old lexan was broken on the Raise button, otherwise in pretty good shape.
1   Touchpanel is held in place with 4 nuts (3/8"); relatively easy access from behind dash.
2   Disconnect the 10 wire modular cable.
4   New and Old (the new lexan; arrived in an ordinary 10" envelope).
5   "Before".
6   Couldn't figure out how to get the old lexan out without damaging the plastic panel (it's glued down well), so used a knife to start lifting at the broken raise button. This area is the bottom of the one of the recessed areas.
8   Once started, just used my fingers to peel the rest of the lexan away and used my thumb to rub the old adhesive off the panel.
11   Final.

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #17 – October 21, 2013, 08:06:32 am

Grant said:
"1 Touch panel is held in place with 4 nuts (3/8"); relatively easy access from behind dash."

But are the bolts that the nuts screw onto captive and stay in place after the circuit board is removed?

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #18 – October 21, 2013, 01:41:02 pm

Yes, as I recall (did this some months ago now), the bolts are attached to the back of the dash.

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #19 – October 22, 2013, 06:32:02 am

Quote from: Grant L – October 21, 2013, 01:41:02 pm

Yes, as I recall (did this some months ago now), the bolts are attached to the back of the dash.

Thanks!

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #20 – October 22, 2013, 08:45:54 pm

Exactly same problem, all lights flashing and travel mode by default .

Control board under coach closest to passenger side had had a relay chattering but would not engage. Capacitor bad ( it has metal ring around it and top was raised instead of flat)
$2.00 at Radio Shack + solder gun, all is well.

Sorry I did not take pictures.

Larry B
1998 u270

Re: HWH Leveling System

Reply #21 – November 02, 2013, 06:59:39 am

Grant and Betty - thanks for your help.

I replaced my Lexan yesterday without problem. The bolts are attached to the panel; they are stainless steel, but the nuts are steel and therefore are attracted to a magnet which prevents dropping one. 3 of the nuts are easily removable with a short nut driver, but the top right required a small wrench to loosen, then removed by hand.

The Lexan peeled right off, leaving only a bit of old adhesive which was easily removable. Application of the Lexan was straightforward, and the panel replaced easily. Nice to have a Lexan without holes!

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